Roy Keane Finally Ends 15-Year Rift With Former Liverpool Star He Once Refused to Acknowledge

Roy Keane and Jason McAteer: From Feud to Forgiveness

For one of football’s fiercest competitors — Roy Keane — every match felt like a battlefield, where loyalty, grit, and intensity defined his approach. The Cork-born midfielder, who became a legendary figure at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, built his career on relentless drive and uncompromising standards. But that same fire often fueled rivalries both on and off the pitch.

Names like Patrick Vieira, Alan Shearer, and Alf-Inge Haaland immediately come to mind when recalling Keane’s most heated confrontations. Yet one of his more personal feuds involved a fellow Irishman — Jason McAteer, the former Liverpool and Sunderland midfielder.

Speaking recently to SPORTbible, McAteer revealed that after years of tension, he and Keane have finally made peace. Their story is one of conflict, pride, and, ultimately, reconciliation.

The Origins of Their Feud

Although both were integral to Ireland’s national team setup, Keane and McAteer were never close. The relationship deteriorated around the infamous 2002 World Cup, when Keane walked out on the Republic of Ireland camp after clashing with manager Mick McCarthy. From that moment, communication between the two players all but ceased.

Between 1995 and 2003, they faced each other seven times at club level, but their encounter during the 2002/03 Premier League season — Manchester United versus Sunderland — remains the most infamous. A heated on-field scuffle saw both players clash physically and exchange words, with McAteer reportedly shouting, “F*** off!” Moments later, Keane was sent off for a reckless challenge on his compatriot.

Keane’s 2002 autobiography didn’t help matters. He dismissed McAteer as being “too fond of himself, more into hair gel and nightclubs than football.” McAteer publicly laughed it off but later admitted the comment stung.

In his own book, Blood, Sweat and McAteer, he wrote:

“People ask if I’d ever make up with Roy. My hand’s always been open. Once, I even held a door for him at Wembley — he just walked straight past me.”

McAteer recalled seeing Keane at FAI events where he’d greet old teammates like Paul McGrath and Ray Houghton but deliberately ignore him. “He’s got his reasons,” McAteer concluded at the time.

Finally Making Peace

More than two decades after their last match as teammates — a 2–1 defeat to the Ivory Coast in 2002 — the tension has finally eased.

“Something happened a few months ago,” McAteer revealed. “We reconnected, and I think we’re in a better place now. It was emotional — fifteen years is too long to hold a grudge.”

He added:

“We shared highs and lows. I understand him — he’s a winner, I was a winner — we just expressed it differently.”

Keane vs McAteer: Head-to-Head Meetings

McAteer summed up their journey perfectly:

“We shared a dressing room and some massive moments — like qualifying for the World Cup. I’ve always respected Roy as a player and a professional. I’m just glad we’re finally in a better place.